Sault Ste. Marie's John Cerasuolo was elected president and chief executive officer of the Barrie-based Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) at their annual general meeting in Collingwood on Oct. 20.
"Thank you to the voting delegates from the 20 branches of the OPP Association for electing me to the board of directors and to the board for naming me president," Cerasuolo said in a news release from the OPPA. "I am honoured and proud to represent the almost 10,000 members of the OPPA and look forward to getting to work on contract negotiations and working collaboratively to tackle our OPP staffing shortage.
"Our contract expires in December 2022 and will be my No. 1 priority along with staffing and member wellness," he added.
Cerasuolo is the first OPPA president from northern Ontario, having previously served as a board member and vice-president of the association.
Throughout his career as an OPP officer, Cerasuolo served in Sault Ste Marie, Espanola and Blind River.
The OPPA board of directors elected at the 2022 AGM includes Lynn Neale, Terri Hubbert, Mike Adair, Dave Dube, and Rob Jamieson.
Headquartered on Ferris Lane in north Barrie, the OPPA acts as the bargaining agent for its nearly 10,000 uniform and civilian members. The OPPA also advocates for improved health and safety standards and better supports for its members suffering from operational stress injuries.
